WABASH NATIONAL CORP /DE
10-Q, 1998-11-16
TRUCK TRAILERS
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<PAGE>   1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

             QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
[X]                     SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                    FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
                                       OR
               TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
[ ]                     SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the transition period from _____________________ to _______________________

Commission File Number:                         1-10883                    
                        -------------------------------------------------------

                           WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


          Delaware                                              52-1375208
          --------                                              ----------
 (State of Incorporation)                                     (IRS Employer
                                                          Identification Number)

1000 Sagamore Parkway South,
     Lafayette, Indiana                                             47905
     ------------------                                             -----
   (Address of Principal                                          (Zip Code)
     Executive Offices)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (765)448-1591 
                                                    --------------

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for
the past 90 days.

                              Yes   X    No
                                  -----    -----

The number of shares of common stock outstanding at November 13, 1998 was
22,962,245.


<PAGE>   2


                           WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

                                      INDEX

                                    FORM 10-Q

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Page
                                                                         ----
<S>                                                                      <C>
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

         Item 1.  Financial Statements

                  Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at
                           September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997        1

                  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
                           for the three and nine months ended
                           September 30, 1998 and 1997                     2

                  Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash
                           Flows for the nine months
                           ended September 30, 1998 and 1997               3

                  Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial
                           Statements                                      4

         Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                  Financial Condition and Results of
                  Operations                                               8

         Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
                  About Market Risk (Not Applicable)                       -

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

         Item 2.  Changes in Securities                                   14

         Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                        14


</TABLE>


<PAGE>   3

                  WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                             (Dollars in thousands)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           September 30,  December 31,
                                                               1998          1997  
                                                           -------------  ------------
                                                            (Unaudited)     (Note 1)
                                     ASSETS

<S>                                                          <C>          <C>      
CURRENT ASSETS:
       Cash and cash equivalents                             $  25,503    $  14,647
       Accounts receivable, net                                161,039      161,249
       Current portion of finance contracts                      7,594        7,697
       Inventories                                             259,747      211,359
       Prepaid expenses and other                               14,990       12,962
                                                             ---------    ---------
              Total current assets                             468,873      407,914
                                                             ---------    ---------

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net                             132,885      108,798
                                                             ---------    ---------

EQUIPMENT LEASED TO OTHERS, net                                 38,443       43,986
                                                             ---------    ---------

FINANCE CONTRACTS, net of current portion                       67,613       51,539
                                                             ---------    ---------

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net                                          32,027       11,152
                                                             ---------    ---------

OTHER ASSETS                                                     7,875        6,481
                                                             ---------    ---------

TOTAL ASSETS                                                 $ 747,716    $ 629,870
                                                             =========    =========


                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
       Current maturities of long-term debt                  $   2,931    $   4,148
       Accounts payable                                        123,980       94,083
       Accrued liabilities                                      38,832       29,471
                                                             ---------    ---------
              Total current liabilities                        165,743      127,702
                                                             ---------    ---------

LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current maturities                      181,913      231,880
                                                             ---------    ---------

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES                                           32,255       26,440
                                                             ---------    ---------

OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES AND CONTINGENCIES                  17,913       17,332
                                                             ---------    ---------

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
       Preferred stock                                               5            4
       Common stock, 22,962,245 and 19,954,874
         shares issued and outstanding,
         respectively                                              230          200
       Additional paid-in capital                              236,218      135,611
       Retained earnings                                       114,718       91,980
       Treasury stock at cost, 59,600 shares                    (1,279)      (1,279)
                                                             ---------    ---------
            Total stockholders equity                          349,892      226,516
                                                             ---------    ---------

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY                    $ 747,716    $ 629,870
                                                             =========    =========
</TABLE>



            See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                        1



<PAGE>   4


                  WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                (Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Three Months                   Nine Months
                                                         Ended September 30,            Ended September 30,
                                                     --------------------------        ---------------------
                                                       1998             1997             1998         1997
                                                       ----             ----             ----         ----      
                                                             (Unaudited)                   (Unaudited)
<S>                                                  <C>              <C>              <C>          <C>  
NET SALES                                            $ 334,113        $ 246,403        $965,458     $577,897   
                                                                                                               
COST OF SALES                                          303,279          225,236         879,698      533,987   
                                                     ---------        ---------        --------     --------    
                                                                                         
            Gross Profit                                30,834           21,167          85,760       43,910    
                                                                                                               
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE                                                             
       EXPENSES                                          7,469            5,538          20,833       12,130    
                                                                                       
SELLING EXPENSE                                          3,286            2,583           9,483        5,802   
                                                     ---------        ---------        --------     --------     

       Income from operations                           20,079           13,046          55,444       25,978   
                                                                                        
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):                                                                 
      Interest Expense                                  (3,382)          (4,467)        (11,558)     (11,572)  
      Other, net                                          (406)             223            (699)         461   
                                                     ---------        ---------        --------     --------    
                                                                                       
      Income before income taxes                        16,291            8,802          43,187       14,867    
                                                                                       
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES                               6,462            3,750          17,197        6,104   
                                                     ---------        ---------        --------     --------    
                                                                                                               
      Net Income                                     $   9,829        $   5,052        $ 25,990     $  8,763   
                                                     ---------        ---------        --------     --------    
                                                                                       
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS                                  418              264             946          478   
                                                     ---------        ---------        --------     --------    
                                                                                                               
NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON                                                                                 
   SHAREHOLDERS                                      $   9,411        $   4,788        $ 25,044     $  8,285   
                                                     =========        =========        ========     ========
Earnings per share:

   Basic                                             $    0.41        $    0.24        $   1.16     $   0.43   
                                                     =========        =========        ========     ========
   Diluted                                           $    0.41        $    0.24        $   1.14     $   0.42   
                                                     =========        =========        ========     ========
                                                                               
CASH DIVIDENDS PER SHARE                             $   0.035        $   0.035        $  0.105     $  0.095
                                                     =========        =========        ========     ========   
</TABLE>


           See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       2


<PAGE>   5


                  WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                             (Dollars in thousands)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Nine Months
                                                           Ended September 30,
                                                         -----------------------
                                                            1998         1997
                                                         ---------    ---------   
                                                               (Unaudited)
<S>                                                      <C>          <C>      
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
     Net Income                                          $  25,990    $   8,763
     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
          cash provided by (used in) operating
          activities-
     Depreciation and amortization                          12,606       13,986
     Bad debt provision                                        614          424
     Deferred income taxes                                   6,370        2,302
   Equity in losses of unconsolidated affiliate              2,200         --
   Change in operating assets and liabilities,
          excluding effects of the acquisitions--
          Accounts receivable                                4,548      (51,302)
          Inventories                                      (31,983)     (48,242)
          Prepaid expenses and other                          (575)         743
          Accounts payable and accrued liabilities          31,969       59,713
          Other, net                                          (634)      (1,147)
                                                         ---------    ---------            
               Net cash provided by (used in)
                 operating activities                       51,105      (14,760)
                                                         ---------    ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
     Capital expenditures                                  (22,847)     (16,696)
     Investment in equipment leased to others               (9,619)     (34,987)
     Investment in finance contracts                       (24,645)     (19,343)
     Acquisitions, net of cash acquired, (Note 6)           (9,515)     (15,129)
     Investment in unconsolidated affiliate                 (1,965)        --
     Payments for RoadRailer technology                       --         (1,086)
     Proceeds from sale of leased equipment and
         finance contracts                                  11,119       58,778
     Principal payments on finance contracts                 5,495        3,897
     Other, net                                                117           60
                                                         ---------    ---------
               Net cash used in investing activities       (51,860)     (24,506)
                                                         ---------    ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
     Proceeds from:
         Long-term debt                                       --         25,000
         Long-term revolver                                247,400      272,500
         Common stock, net of expenses                      87,484          742
     Payments:
          Long term debt                                   (28,280)      (2,956)
          Long-term revolver                              (292,000)    (248,500)
          Common stock dividends                            (2,201)      (1,733)
          Preferred stock dividends                           (792)        (437)

               Net cash provided by
                                                         ---------    ---------
                   financing activities                     11,611       44,616
                                                         ---------    ---------

NET INCREASE IN CASH                                        10,856        5,350

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD            14,647        5,514
                                                         ---------    ---------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD               $  25,503    $  10,864
                                                         =========    =========
</TABLE>


            See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.



                                        3




<PAGE>   6

                  WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                        (Dollars in thousands, Unaudited)


NOTE 1.  GENERAL

         The consolidated financial statements included herein have been
prepared by Wabash National Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) without
audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in
financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and
regulations; however, the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to
make the information presented not misleading. The condensed consolidated
financial statements included herein should be read in conjunction with the
financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's 1997 Annual
Report on Form 10-K.

         In the opinion of the registrant, the accompanying financial statements
contain all material adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring
adjustments), necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position of
the Company at September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997 and its results of
operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 1998 and
1997 and cash flows for the nine month period ended September 30, 1998 and 1997.

NOTE 2.  INTANGIBLE ASSETS

         Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $7.2 million and
$6.4 million at September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997, respectively, relate
primarily to goodwill and other intangible assets associated with the Cloud
Acquisition (See Note 6 for further discussion) and RoadRailer acquisition
costs. These amounts are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods
ranging from five to forty years.

NOTE 3.  INVENTORIES

         Inventories consisted of the following:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   September 30,    December 31,
                                                       1998            1997
                                                   -------------    -----------
                                                   (Unaudited)
<S>                                                  <C>             <C>     
Raw material and components                          $143,551        $ 75,629
Work in process                                        18,740          16,892
Finished goods                                         32,692          68,164
Aftermarket parts                                      27,096          25,386
Used trailers                                          37,668          25,288
                                                     --------        --------
                                                     $259,747        $211,359
                                                     ========        ========
</TABLE>


                                        4



<PAGE>   7


NOTE 4.  EARNINGS PER SHARE

         The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS
No. 128, "Earnings Per Share") during 1997. SFAS No. 128 simplifies the
computation of earnings per share (EPS) and requires the presentation of two
amounts: basic and diluted EPS. As required, all prior period EPS data has been
restated to conform with the provisions of this statement.

         A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and
diluted EPS computations, as required by SFAS No. 128, is presented below:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Three Months          Nine Months
                                          Ended September 30   Ended September 30
                                          ------------------   -------------------
                                            1998       1997      1998        1997
                                          --------   -------   --------    -------
<S>                                         <C>        <C>       <C>         <C>  
BASIC:
  Net income                                9,829      5,052     25,990      8,763
  Preferred stock dividends                  (418)      (264)      (946)      (478)
                                          -------    -------    -------    -------
  Net income, basic                         9,411      4,788     25,044      8,285
                                          -------    -------    -------    -------

  Common shares, basic                     22,962     19,939     21,662     19,463
                                          -------    -------    -------    -------

  BASIC EPS                               $  0.41    $  0.24    $  1.16    $  0.43
                                          =======    =======    =======    =======

DILUTED:
  Net income, basic                         9,411      4,788     25,044      8,285
  Effect of dilutive securities:
       Convertible preferred stock            264       --          792       --
                                          -------    -------    -------    -------
  Net income, assuming full dilution        9,675      4,788     25,836      8,285
                                          -------    -------    -------    -------

  Common shares, basic                     22,962     19,939     21,662     19,463
  Effect of dilutive securities:
       Convertible preferred stock            823       --          823       --
       Stock Options                           26        126         98         54
                                          -------    -------    -------    -------
  Common shares, assuming full dilution    23,811     20,065     22,583     19,517
                                          -------    -------    -------    -------

  DILUTED EPS                             $  0.41    $  0.24    $  1.14    $  0.42
                                          =======    =======    =======    =======
</TABLE>


NOTE 5.  LEASING OPERATIONS

         Wabash National Finance Corporation (the Finance Company), a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, provides leasing and finance programs to
customers for new and used trailers. The Finance Company's lease revenues,
excluding revenue from the sale of leased trailers of $2.4 million and $3.5
million, were $16.4 million and $16.1 million during the nine months ended
September 30, 1998 and 1997 respectively. Income before income taxes was $2.0
million and $0.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and
1997 respectively.



                                        5

<PAGE>   8


         At September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997 respectively, the Finance
Company had $66.5 million and $54.9 million in long-term debt, comprised of
$59.0 million and $39.0 million in intercompany debt to the Company and $7.5 and
$15.9 million in debt due to third parties, of which $6.9 million and $8.4 was
guaranteed by the Company. Also at September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997
respectively, the Finance Company had total assets of $117.4 million and $107.1
million, consisting primarily of Equipment Held for Lease of $38.4 million and
$44.0 million and Finance Contracts, including current portion, of $75.2 million
and $59.2 million.

         During March 1998, the Finance Company sold approximately $8.8 million
of its equipment leased to others to a large financial institution.
Simultaneously, the Finance Company leased the equipment back and entered into a
sublease arrangement with a customer. This lease is accounted for as an
operating lease. The lease with the financial institution provides for
approximately $2.6 million of end of lease term residual value commitments.

NOTE 6.  ACQUISITIONS

         On July 14, 1998, the Company acquired Cloud Corporation and Cloud Oak
Flooring Company, Inc. (the Cloud Acquisition) in a merger and stock purchase,
respectively, manufacturers of laminated hardwood floors for the truck body and
trailer industry. For financial statement purposes the Cloud Acquisition was
accounted for as a purchase and, accordingly, Cloud's combined results are
included in the consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition.
The aggregate consideration for this transaction included $9.7 million in cash,
$13.2 million in convertible preferred stock and the assumption of $32.1 million
in liabilities. The excess of the purchase price over the underlying assets
acquired is approximately $21.9 million. This amount has been allocated to
goodwill and other intangible assets based upon a preliminary estimate of fair
values. These amounts are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods
of five to forty years. The values assigned to the acquired assets and
liabilities could change following the resolution of certain pre-acquisition
contingencies related to environmental laws and ERISA. While these matters are
at an early stage and it is not possible to predict the outcome with certainty,
based on currently available information the Company does not believe the
outcome of these matters will be material to the consolidated results of
operations or financial condition of the Company. The Company is indemnified by
the sellers of the acquired companies and the Company believes that these
contingencies would be covered by the indemnification provisions of those
agreements.

         On April 16, 1997, the Company acquired substantially all of the
remaining assets of Fruehauf Trailer Corporation (Fruehauf), a manufacturer and
marketer of truck trailers and related parts. The following unaudited pro forma
consolidated results of operations of the Company and the acquired assets of
Fruehauf assume the acquisition occurred as of January 1, 1997 (in millions,
except per share data):

                                        6



<PAGE>   9


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Nine Months
                                                          Ended Sept.30,
                                                       1998             1997                     
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                  <C>               <C>    
Net Sales                                            $ 965.5           $ 607.6
Net Income                                           $  26.0           $   8.3
Net Income per common share                          $  1.14           $  0.42
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

In management's opinion, the unaudited pro forma combined results of operations
are not indicative of the actual results that would have occurred had the
acquisition been consummated at the beginning of 1997 or of future results of
the combined operations under the ownership and management of the Company.

NOTE 7.  SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Nine Months
                                                            Ended September 30,
(In thousands)                                              1998         1997
<S>                                                       <C>          <C>     
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash paid during the period for:
    Interest                                              $ 10,752     $ 13,248
    Income taxes                                            10,464          845
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Noncash investing and financing activities:
    Preferred stock issued for acquisitions                 13,153       17,600
    Common stock issued for acquisition                       --         17,750
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired:
   Accounts receivable, net                               $  4,952     $ 13,955
   Inventory, net                                           16,405       20,163
   Prepaid expenses and other                                  743        4,072
   Property, plant and equipment                             8,334       25,269
   Goodwill and other intangibles                           21,891         --
   Deferred income taxes                                     1,265         --
   Other Assets                                              1,203         --
   Current liabilities                                     (25,783)      (8,980)
   Non-current liabilities                                  (6,342)      (4,000)
   Stock issued                                            (13,153)     (35,350)
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash paid for acquisitions                            $ (9,515)    $(15,129)
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


NOTE 8.  ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SECURITIZATION

         On March 31, 1998, Wabash National Corporation replaced its existing
$40 million receivable sale and servicing agreement with a new three-year trade
receivable securitization facility. The new facility allows the Company to sell,
without recourse on an ongoing basis, all of their accounts receivable to Wabash
Funding Corporation (Funding Corp.), a wholly-owned unconsolidated subsidiary of
the Company. Simultaneously, the Funding Corp. has sold and, subject to certain
conditions, may from time to time sell an undivided interest in those
receivables to a large financial institution. At September 30, 1998, $83 million
of proceeds have been received under the new facility. No gain or loss was
recorded during the first quarter of 1998 as a result of this transaction.
Amounts reflected as Accounts Receivable in the accompanying Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 1998 include an interest in
receivables sold to the Funding Corp. in excess of proceeds received.


                                        7


<PAGE>   10



         Proceeds from the sale were used to reduce outstanding borrowings under
the Company's Revolving Credit Agreement and are reflected as operating cash
flows in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Costs
associated with this facility are classified as Selling, General and
Administrative Expenses in the consolidated statement of income.

         In order to operate this facility on an on-going basis, the Funding
Corp. is required to meet certain covenants primarily related to the performance
of the accounts receivable portfolio. Servicing responsibility for these
receivables resides with the Company.

ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
NOTE:    This  discussion  contains  forward-looking  statements.  These  
         statements should be viewed in connection with the risk factors
         disclosed in the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (SEC File
         No. 333-48589).

     Net Sales

         Net sales for the three month period ended September 30, 1998 increased
$87.7 million or 35.6% compared to the same period in 1997 and were $387.6
million or 67.1% higher for the nine month period ended September 30, 1998
compared to the same period in 1997. The increase in net sales for the three and
nine month periods were primarily attributable to an increase in new trailer
sales of $73.0 million and $317.4 million, respectively, an increase in used
trailer sales of $9.1 million and $29.3 million, respectively, and an increase
in aftermarket parts and service revenues of $5.7 million and $40.9 million,
respectively.

         The increases in new trailer sales of $73.0 million and $317.4 million
for the three and nine month periods, respectively, were caused by a 24.3% and
48.8% increase in units sold, along with an increase of 10.0% and 12.3% in the
average sales price per unit during the same periods. These favorable conditions
are the result of continued sales growth at the Company's retail outlets,
increased production capabilities, increased production of the Company's
composite trailer and a continued strong demand for the Company's products.

         The increase in used trailer sales and aftermarket parts and service
revenues reflects increased volume through the Company's existing parts
distribution business as well as the 31 retail outlets acquired. The Company
plans to expand its retail distribution network from its current level of 31
retail outlets to approximately 50 retail outlets within 24 months.



                                        8


<PAGE>   11


         Gross Profit

         Gross profit as a percentage of net sales totaled 9.2% for the three
month period ended September 30, 1998 compared to 8.6% for the same period in
1997. The gross profit margin for the nine-month period ended September 30, 1998
as a percentage of sales was 8.9% versus 7.6% for the same period in 1997. The
increase in the gross profit margins reflects the impact of higher margin sales
of new and used trailers and aftermarket parts and service revenues generated
from the retail branch outlets acquired in 1997. In addition, the improvement in
product mix resulting from the completion of the Company's composite material
facility in the third quarter of 1997 has allowed the Company to increase its
production rates, thereby improving production efficiencies at the Company's
manufacturing facilities.

         Income From Operations

         Income from operations for the three and nine month periods ended
September 30, 1998 as a percentage of net sales was 6.0% and 5.7% compared to
5.3% and 4.5% for the same periods in 1997. Income from operations in 1998 was
impacted primarily by the increase in the gross profit margins previously
discussed offset somewhat by increased selling, general and administrative
expenses. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses primarily
reflects higher levels of expense associated with the retail outlets acquired in
April, 1997 as well as costs associated with the Company's new accounts
receivable securitization facility.

         Interest Expense

         Interest expense for the three and nine month periods ended September
30, 1998 totaled $3.4 million and $11.6 million compared to $4.5 million and
$11.6 million for the same periods in 1997. The decrease in interest expense
during the third quarter is primarily due to the use of proceeds from the
Company's new trade receivable securitization facility which closed on March 31,
1998 coupled with proceeds from the Company's April, 1998 common stock offering
to reduce the Company's long-term debt.

         Taxes

         The provision for income taxes for the three and nine month periods
ended September 30, 1998 of $6.5 million and $17.2 million, respectively,
represents 39.7% and 39.8% of pre-tax income for the periods compared to the
provision of $3.8 million and $6.1 million, or 42.6% and 41.1% of pretax income,
respectively, for the same periods in 1997. The effective tax rates are higher
than the Federal statutory rates of 35% due primarily to state income taxes.


                                        9


<PAGE>   12



LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

         Operating Activities

         For the nine months ended September 30, 1998, cash provided by
operating activities amounted to $51.1 million primarily due to net income, the
add-back of non-cash charges for depreciation and amortization expense, and as
discussed in more detail below, the proceeds from the sale of accounts
receivable. Increased raw material inventory levels resulting from higher new
trailer production was offset by related increases in accounts payable and
accrued liabilities.

         Investing Activities

         For the nine months ended September 30, 1998, cash used in investing
activities amounted to $51.9 million primarily due to the expansion of the
Finance Company's leasing operation ($34.3 million), capital expenditures ($22.8
million) and the Cloud Acquisition ($9.5 million) offset somewhat by the sale of
leased equipment and finance contracts ($11.1 million).

         Capital expenditures during the period were associated with increasing
the Company's manufacturing operations in Lafayette, Indiana, the development of
a new state of the art painting and coating system at its trailer manufacturing
facility in Huntsville, Tennessee, the acquisition of a new consolidated parts
center in Lafayette, increasing capacity and manufacturing productivity at its
recently acquired flooring operation in Harrison, Arkansas and other operating
purposes. The flooring operations were acquired in July 1998 through the merger
of Cloud Corporation with a newly-formed subsidiary of Wabash and the
acquisition of all of the outstanding stock of Cloud Oak Flooring. The
acquisition agreements include customary representations and warranties by the
sellers. Wabash is in the process of looking into certain pre-acquisition
contingencies of the acquired companies relating to compliance with
environmental laws and ERISA. While these matters are at an early stage and it
is not possible to predict the outcome with certainty, based on currently
available information the Company does not believe the outcome of these matters
will be material to the consolidated results of operations or financial
condition of the Company. The Company is indemnified by the sellers of the
acquired companies and the Company believes that these contingencies would be
covered by the indemnification provisions of those agreements.

         The Company continues to pursue its branch expansion strategy although
no firm commitments have been entered into to date. The Company anticipates
future capital expenditures related to its branch expansion strategy, the
development of a new computer system in its retail network, the continuation of
the capital projects previously discussed, and other activities to be $80-$100
million over the next 12 to 24 months.

                                       10


<PAGE>   13



         During March, 1998, the Finance Company sold and leased back
approximately $8.8 million of its Equipment Leased to Others with a large
financial institution.

         Financing Activities

         For the nine months ended September 30, 1998, cash provided by
financing activities amounted to $11.6 million primarily due to the issuance of
common stock ($87.5 million), a net reduction in the Company's long-term
revolver ($44.6 million) and a pay-down of long-term debt ($28.3 million)
primarily associated with the Cloud Acquisition. 

         On March 31, 1998, the Company replaced its existing $40 million
receivable sale and servicing agreement with a new three-year trade receivable
securitization facility. The new facility allows the Company to sell, without
recourse on an ongoing basis, all of its accounts receivable to Wabash Funding
Corporation (Funding Corp.), a wholly-owned unconsolidated subsidiary of the
Company. Simultaneously, the Funding Corp. has sold and, subject to certain
conditions, may from time to time sell an undivided interest in those
receivables to a large financial institution. At September 30, 1998, $83 million
of proceeds were received by the Company related to this new facility. Proceeds
from the sale were used to reduce outstanding borrowings under the Company's
Revolving Credit Agreement and are reflected as operating cash flows in the
accompanying Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

         On April 28, 1998, the Company sold three million shares of its common
stock in a registered public offering at a public-offering price of $30.75 per
share, for net proceeds to the Company of $87.5 million.

         Other

         Other sources of funds for capital expenditures, continued expansion of
businesses, dividends, principal repayments on debt, stock repurchase and
working capital requirements are expected to be cash from operations, additional
borrowings under the credit facilities and term borrowings and equity offerings.
The Company believes that these funding sources will be adequate for its
anticipated requirements.

         BACKLOG

         The Company's backlog of orders was approximately $906 million at
September 30, 1998 and $832 million at December 31, 1997. The Company's backlog
represents the amount of orders the Company believes to be firm. Such orders may
be subject to extension, delay or cancellation under certain circumstances.


                                       11


<PAGE>   14



         NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

         The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS
No. 128, "Earnings Per Share"), during 1997. SFAS No. 128 simplifies the
computation of earnings per share (EPS) and requires the presentation of two new
amounts, basic and diluted EPS. As required by SFAS No. 128, all prior period
EPS data have been restated to conform with the provisions of this Statement.
The adoption of Statement resulted in an immaterial difference in its
computation of basic and dilutive EPS.

         The Company adopted SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income", on
January 1, 1998. SFAS No. 130 was effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 1997. SFAS No. 130 established standards for reporting and display
of "comprehensive income" and its components. Comprehensive income is not
reported in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as the
Company had no items of Other Comprehensive Income for the periods presented.

         In June 1997, SFAS No. 131, "Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise
and Related Information" was issued. The statement must be adopted by the
Company on December 31, 1998. Under provisions of this statement, the Company
will be required to modify or expand the financial statement disclosures for
operating segments, products and services, and geographic areas. Implementation
of this disclosure standard will not affect the Company's financial position or
results of operations.

         In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities". SFAS 133 is effective for all fiscal
quarters of all fiscal years beginning after June 15, 1999 (beginning of fiscal
year 2000 for the Company). This statement requires that all derivative
instruments be recorded on the balance sheet at their fair value. Management of
the Company has not yet determined the impact that the adoption of SFAS 133 will
have on its earnings or statement of financial position. However, management
anticipates that, due to its limited use of derivative instruments, the adoption
of SFAS 133 will not have a significant effect on the Company's results of
operations or its financial position.

YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE

         The Company continues to address the impact of the Year 2000 issue on
its business. If not corrected certain computer applications may fail or create
erroneous results at the year 2000. Specifically, with respect to the Company,
this includes applications within information technology (IT) as well as non-IT
equipment and machinery that may contain embedded date-sensitive
microcontrollers or microchips.




                                       12


<PAGE>   15


         Information Technology Systems

         The Company's assessment of all business critical IT hardware and
software is 90-95% complete. It has been determined that many of the Company's
applications and systems are already Year 2000 compliant, however, it will be
necessary to modify or replace other applications and systems. During this
assessment, it was determined that systems in place within the Company's retail
and distribution network and certain of its manufacturing operations are not
Year 2000 compliant. As a result, during 1998 and 1999, the Company will install
new application systems within these areas which will be Year 2000 compliant.
Other maintenance and project activities to be conducted in 1998 and 1999 have
been initiated to bring the remaining hardware and software into compliance. If
such projects are not completed timely, the Year 2000 issue could have a
material impact on the operations of the Company. The Company's plan for IT
items includes the following phases and timeline: (1) Assessment and Strategy -
completed in 1998 and (2) Design, Implementation, Testing and Validation - in
process and scheduled to be substantially completed by mid 1999.

         Non-Information Technology Systems

         The Company's assessment of non-IT systems is approximately 75%
complete. It is expected that the assessment and necessary replacements or
upgrades will be substantially completed by the second quarter in 1999.

         External Parties

         The Company has contacted its vendors and suppliers regarding the
status of their Year 2000 compliance. Many vendors have given a positive
indication that they are or will be compliant. A follow-up inquiry is being
conducted with the parties identified as business critical. This process is
approximately 60% complete and is expected to be substantially completed by the
first quarter in 1999. While compliance issues may be identified and addressed,
this process may not fully ensure these parties' Year 2000 compliance.
Disruptions in the operations of these parties could have an adverse financial
and operational effect on the Company. The Company is currently in the process
of formulating a contingency plan in the event business critical vendors do not
achieve Year 2000 compliance and suffer substantial disruptions in their
operations. This plan will include identifying alternate vendors to replace
those that are positively identified to be Year 2000 non-compliant and also to
identify back-up vendors for those whom represent compliance in the event that
their systems fail. This plan is expected to be substantially completed by mid
1999.

         The Company has requested compliance information from its banks and it
has been determined that they expect to be compliant by the second quarter in
1999. In the event that these banks are not compliant at that time, the Company
will review the possibility of relocating its banking relationships to back-up
financial institutions currently being identified. 


                                       13

<PAGE>   16



         Costs of Compliance

         The Company estimates the total costs to be incurred in installing new
application systems in the retail and distribution network and certain
manufacturing operations, along with costs associated with Year 2000 compliance
to be between $4.0 to $5.0 million. Through September 30, 1998, the Company has
spent approximately $0.5 million related to such activities.

         Management believes that, with modifications to existing software and
conversions to new software and hardware, the Year 2000 issue is not likely to
materially impact the Company's results of operations or financial position. The
Company expects all of its internal business critical IT and non-IT systems to
be Year 2000 compliant and therefore no contingency plan is in place in the
event of a particular system not being Year 2000 compliant. Such a plan will be
developed if it becomes clear that the Company is not going to achieve its
scheduled compliance objectives. However, because most computer systems are
interdependent by nature, there can be no assurance that the systems of other
companies on which the Company's systems rely, will be timely converted and not
have an adverse effect on the Company's systems.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 2.  CHANGES IN SECURITIES

     Series C 5.5% Convertible Preferred Stock

              On July 14, 1998, the Company issued the following as part of the
              consideration paid in connection with its acquisition of
              substantially all of the assets of Cloud Corporation and Cloud Oak
              Flooring Company, Inc.: 131,530 shares of Series C 5.5% Cumulative
              Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock. This stock is
              convertible at any time at the option of the holder, at a
              conversion price of $35 per share, into up to 375,800 shares of
              Common Stock, subject to adjustment. The Preferred Stock is
              subject to mandatory conversion if the average trading price of
              the Common Stock for 20 consecutive trading days exceeds the
              conversion price, or if dividends on the Preferred Stock are in
              arrears for at least two full quarterly periods. These securities
              were sold pursuant to the exemption available under Section 4(2)
              of the Securities Act of 1933 and Regulation D promulgated
              thereunder as a transaction not involving a public offering.

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)  Exhibits:

3.5           Certificate of Designations of Series C 5.5% Convertible Preferred
              Stock

15.1          Report of Independent Public Accountants

(b)  Reports on Form 8-K:

     1.       Form 8-K dated October 19, 1998 reporting an amendment to the
              Shareholders Rights Agreement to eliminate those provisions that
              require that certain actions may only be taken by "Continuing
              Directors."

                                       14


<PAGE>   17


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                                  WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

Date:  November 16, 1998                     By:  /s/  Rick B. Davis
       -----------------                          ------------------
                                                  Rick B. Davis
                                                       Corporate Controller
                                                       and
                                                       Executive Officer


















                                       15


<PAGE>   1

                                                                     EXHIBIT 3.5


                           CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION

                                       OF

                           SERIES C 5.5% CONVERTIBLE

                                PREFERRED STOCK

                                       OF

                          WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION

             Pursuant to Section 151 of the General Corporation Law

                            of the State of Delaware

                  I, Donald J. Ehrlich, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Wabash National Corporation, a corporation organized and existing under the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "Corporation"), in
accordance with the provisions of Section 103 thereof, DO HEREBY CERTIFY:

                  That pursuant to the authority conferred upon the Board by the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, the said Board on May 4, 1998
adopted the following resolution creating a series of 170,000 shares of
Preferred Stock designated as "Series C 5.5% Convertible Preferred Stock":

                  RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority vested in the Board
of this Corporation (the "Board") in accordance with the provisions of its
Certificate of Incorporation, a series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation be
and it is hereby created, and the designation and amount thereof and the voting
rights or powers (including voting powers), preferences and relative,
participating, optional and other special rights of the shares of such series,
and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof are as follows:

                  Section 1. Designation and Amount.

                  1A. The designation of the series of Preferred Stock, $.01 par
value per share, provided for herein shall be "Series C 5.5% Convertible
Preferred Stock" (hereinafter referred to as the "Series C Preferred"), and the
number of shares constituting the Series C Preferred shall be 170,000.

                  1B. All shares of Series C Preferred purchased or otherwise
acquired by the Corporation shall be retired and canceled and shall be restored
to the status of authorized but unissued shares



PAGE 1
<PAGE>   2

existing or hereafter created (the "Senior Preferred Stock"), (ii) on a parity
with any other series of Preferred Stock duly established by the Board, the
terms of which do not provide that such series shall rank junior to the Series C
Preferred, whether now existing or hereafter created (the "Parity Preferred
Stock") including, without limitation, the Corporation's Series B 7% Cumulative
Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock, and (iii) prior to any other series of
Preferred Stock duly established by the Board, the terms of which provide that
such series shall rank junior to the Series C Preferred (the "Junior Preferred
Stock") and any other class or series of capital stock of the Corporation,
including, without limitation, all classes of the Common Stock, par value $0.01
per share, of the Corporation, whether now existing or hereafter created (the
"Common Stock"); all of such classes or series of capital stock of the
Corporation to which the Series C Preferred ranks prior, including without
limitation the Junior Preferred Stock and the Common Stock, and including,
without limitation, junior securities convertible into or exchangeable for other
junior securities or phantom stock representing junior securities, are
collectively referred to herein as "Junior Securities."

                  Section 2. Dividends.

                  2A. Holders of the Series C Preferred shall receive, when, as
and if declared by the Board out of the funds of the Corporation legally
available therefor, cash dividends at the annual rate of 5.5% per share, subject
to adjustment as provided below. Dividends with respect to the Series C
Preferred shall be declared and paid quarterly in arrears on March 15, June 15,
September 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing September 15, 1998, each a
"Dividend Payment Date" (and, in the case of any accrued but unpaid dividends,
at such additional times and for such interim periods, if any, as determined by
the Board). Dividends on the Series C Preferred shall be cumulative (whether or
not declared by the Board) and will accrue from the date of original issuance
whether or not at the time such dividend shall accrue or become due or at any
time there shall be funds legally available for the payment of dividends. Any
dividend that is declared but not paid on the respective dividend payment date
shall be increased by an amount equal to the London Interbank offered rate plus
50 basis points on the unpaid amount beginning on the date immediately following
the Dividend Payment Date and ending on the date such dividend is paid.
Dividends shall be payable to the holders of record as they appear on the stock
books of the transfer agent for the Corporation on such record dates, which
shall be not more than 30 days preceding each Dividend Payment Date, as shall be
fixed by the Board. Dividends payable on the Series C Preferred for any period
shorter or longer than a full dividend period will be computed on the basis of a



PAGE 2
<PAGE>   3

360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Dividends on the Series C
Preferred for each full dividend period shall be computed by dividing the annual
dividend rate by four.

                  2B. If dividends are not paid in full upon the Series C
Preferred and any other Parity Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon
shares of Series C Preferred and such other Parity Preferred Stock shall be
declared pro rata so that in all cases the amount of dividends declared per
share on the Series C Preferred and the other Parity Preferred Stock bear to
each other the same proportion that the respective dividend rates of such shares
of the Series C Preferred and the other Parity Preferred Stock bear to each
other. Except as set forth above, unless full cumulative dividends on the Series
C Preferred have been paid and funds set aside, dividends (other than dividends
paid solely in Common Stock or Junior Securities or rights to acquire the
foregoing) may not be paid or declared and set aside for payment and other
distributions may not be made upon the Common Stock or Junior Securities nor may
any Common Stock, Junior Securities or rights to acquire the foregoing be
redeemed, purchased, or otherwise acquired for any consideration by the
Corporation (except for repurchases from employees under employee benefit plans
and by conversion into or exchange for Common Stock or Junior Securities).

                  Section 3.        Liquidation.

                  In the event of any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of
the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary (a "Liquidation"), the holders
of shares of Series C Preferred shall be entitled to receive out of the assets
of the Corporation legally available for distribution to stockholders (whether
representing capital or surplus), before any payment or distribution shall be
made on the Common Stock or any other Junior Securities (but after distribution
of such assets among, or payment thereof over to, creditors of the Corporation
and to holders of any stock of the Corporation with liquidation rights senior to
the Series C Preferred, including holders of Senior Preferred Stock), the
Liquidation Value Per Share plus the amount of any dividends accrued thereon
through the date of distribution (the "Series C Preferred Liquidation
Distribution"). After the Series C Preferred Liquidation Distribution has been
made, the holders of shares of Series C Preferred shall not be entitled to any
further participation in any distribution of assets of the Corporation. If the
assets distributable upon such dissolution, liquidation or winding up (as
provided above) shall be insufficient to pay cash in an amount equal to the
amount of the Series C Preferred Liquidation Distribution to the holders of
shares of Series C Preferred and the full amounts owing upon dissolution,
liquidation or winding up to holders of any class of Parity Preferred Stock,
then such assets or the proceeds thereof shall be distributed among the holders
of the Series C Preferred and Parity Preferred Stock ratably in proportion to
the respective amounts of the Series C Preferred Liquidation Distribution and
the liquidation preferences of the Parity Preferred Stock to which they
otherwise would be entitled. The merger or consolidation of the Corporation into
or with one or more other non-affiliated 


PAGE 3
<PAGE>   4

persons or entities, a merger or consolidation of any other non-affiliated
person or entity with or into the Corporation upon the completion of which the
stockholders of the Corporation prior to the merger or consolidation no longer
hold a majority of the outstanding equity securities of the Corporation or the
transfer (by lease sale, conveyance, exchange or other transfer) of all or
substantially all of the property or assets of the Corporation in a single
transaction or through a series of related transactions, to another person or
entity or group of affiliated persons or entities or the entering of any
subsidiaries of the Corporation into any such transaction or transactions if
such transactions in the aggregate would result in a sale of all or
substantially all of the properties or assets of the Corporation and its
subsidiaries on a consolidated basis (any such event or events, a
"Reorganization Event") shall, at the option of the holders of at least 50% of
the Series C Preferred, be deemed to be a Liquidation of the Corporation. In no
event shall the sale, transfer, conveyance or exchange of such property to a
wholly owned affiliate of the Company constitute a Reorganization Event.

                  Section 4.        Voting Rights.

                  4A. The holders of the Series C Preferred shall be entitled to
notice of all stockholders meetings in accordance with the Corporation's bylaws,
and except as otherwise required by law or hereinafter provided, the holders of
the Series C Preferred shall be entitled to vote on all matters submitted to the
stockholders for a vote together with the holders of the Common Stock and any
other series of capital stock entitled to vote together with the Common Stock,
as a single class, and each share of Series C Preferred shall be entitled to one
vote for each share of Common Stock that would be issuable upon conversion of
such share on the record date for determining eligibility to participate in the
action being taken.

                  4B. Without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a
majority of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred, voting separately as a
class, the Corporation shall not directly or indirectly (i) alter or change the
provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation (including through any
Certificate of Amendment or Certificate of Designation relating to, or
Certificate of Merger or Consolidation which alters or changes or converts
pursuant to a merger or consolidation, the Series C Preferred) so as to
adversely affect (within the meaning of Section 242(b)(2) of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware) the powers (including voting powers to
which each such share is entitled relative to the shares of Common Stock or
other capital stock outstanding immediately prior to such alteration, change or
conversion except as such voting powers may be affected by the authorization of
any new series of Parity Preferred Stock having the same voting rights (other
than the right to vote as part of the same class as the Series C Preferred under
the rights granted to the Series C Preferred under this Section 4) as Series C
Preferred or by the authorization of any other shares of any class which are not
entitled to vote together with Series C Preferred in any class vote),
preferences or special rights of Series C Preferred or (ii) authorize or create
any Senior Preferred Stock or any other class of stock senior to the Series C
Preferred as to dividends or upon liquidation.



PAGE 4
<PAGE>   5


                  Section 5. Optional Conversion.

                  5A. At any time and from time to time after the initial
issuance of Series C Preferred, any holder of a share of Series C Preferred may
convert that share of Series C Preferred held by such holder into a number of
shares of Common Stock obtained by dividing $100.00, plus the amount of accrued
and unpaid dividends as of the date of conversion, by the applicable Conversion
Price. The Conversion Price shall initially be $35.00.

                  5B. Conversion Procedure.

                  (i) Any holder of shares of Series C Preferred desiring to
convert any portion thereof into Common Stock shall surrender each certificate
representing one or more shares of such Series C Preferred to be converted, duly
endorsed in favor of the Company or in blank and accompanied by proper
instruments of transfer, at the principal business office of the Company (or
such other place as may be designated by the Company), and shall give written
notice to the Company at that office of its election to convert the same,
setting forth therein the name or names (with the address or addresses) in which
the shares of Common Stock are to be issued.

                  (ii) As soon as possible after a conversion has been effected
(but in any event within three business days in the case of subparagraph (a)
below), the Company shall deliver to the converting holder:

                  (a) a certificate or certificates representing the number of
shares of Common Stock issuable by reason of such conversion in such name or
names and such denomination or denominations as the converting holder has
specified; and

                  (b) a certificate representing any shares of Series C
Preferred which were represented by the certificate or certificates delivered to
the Company in connection with such conversion but which were not converted.

                  (iii) The issuance of certificates for shares of Common Stock
upon conversion of Series C Preferred shall be made without charge to the
holders of such Series C Preferred for any issuance tax in respect thereof or
other cost incurred by the Company in connection with such conversion and the
related issuance of shares of Common Stock.

                  (iv) The Company shall not close its books against the
transfer of Series C Preferred or of Common Stock issued or issuable upon
conversion of Series C Preferred in any manner which interferes with the timely
conversion of Series C Preferred. The Company shall assist and cooperate (but
the Company shall not be 





PAGE 5
<PAGE>   6

required to expend substantial efforts or funds) with any holder of Series C
Preferred required to make any governmental filings or obtain any governmental
approval prior to or in connection with any conversion of shares of Series C
Preferred hereunder (including, without limitation, making any filings required
to be made by the Company).

                  (v) The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available
out of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, solely for the
purpose of issuance upon the conversion of the Series C Preferred, not less than
the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of all
outstanding Series C Preferred that may then be exercised. All shares of Common
Stock which are so issuable shall, when issued, be duly and validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges. The
Company shall take all such actions as may be necessary to ensure that all such
shares of Common Stock may be so issued without violation of any applicable law
or governmental regulation or any requirements of any domestic securities
exchange upon which shares of Common Stock may be listed (except for official
notice of issuance which shall be immediately delivered by the Company upon each
such issuance).

                  5C. Subdivision or Combination of Common Stock. If the Company
at any time subdivides (by any stock split, recapitalization or otherwise) the
outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares, pays a
dividend or distribution on its Common Stock in shares of Common Stock, combines
its outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares or issues any
shares of Common Stock by reclassification of its Common Stock, the Conversion
Price in effect immediately prior thereto shall be proportionately adjusted so
that the holder of any Series C Preferred thereafter surrendered for conversion
shall be entitled to receive the number of shares of Common Stock which such
holder would have owned or been entitled to receive after the happening of any
of the events described above had such shares been converted immediately prior
to the happening of such event or the record date therefor, whichever is
earlier.

                  5D. Reorganization, Reclassification, Consolidation, Merger or
Sale. In connection with any merger, consolidation, reorganization or sale of
all or substantially all of the Corporation's assets (a "Reorganization Event"),
(i) the holders of Series C Preferred shall thereafter have the right to acquire
and receive, in lieu of or in addition to (as the case may be) the shares of
Common Stock immediately theretofore acquirable and receivable upon the
conversion of such holder's Series C Preferred, such shares of stock,
securities, cash or other assets (or, if not practicably attainable, the
reasonable equivalent thereof) as such holder would have received in connection
with such Reorganization Event if such holder had converted its Series C
Preferred immediately prior to such Reorganization Event, and (ii) dividends and
amounts in respect of dividends hereunder payable in shares of Common Stock
prior to such Reorganization Event shall be payable, in lieu of each share of
Common Stock, in such shares of stock, securities, cash or other assets (or
reasonable equivalent thereof) as the holder of one share of Common Stock



PAGE 6
<PAGE>   7

received in connection with such Reorganization Event. The Company shall make
appropriate provisions to ensure that the requirements of the previous sentence
are effected.

                  (i) Issuance of Rights. In case at any time the Corporation
shall issue to all holders of Common Stock any warrants or other rights to
subscribe for or to purchase Common Stock (such warrants or rights being called
"Options") whether or not such Options are immediately exercisable, and the
price per share for which Common Stock is issuable upon the exercise of such
Options, shall be less than the applicable current market price of the Common
Stock (deemed to be the average of the last reported sales prices for the ten
consecutive trading days ending two trading days before the date in question (or
the average of the reported closing bid and asked prices, if last sale prices
are not reported, on such principal securities exchange or quotation system on
which the Common Stock is then listed)), then the Conversion Price in effect
immediately prior thereto shall be adjusted by multiplying the Conversion Price
by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the sum of (a) the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding on the record date for the issuance of such
Options and (b) the number of shares which the aggregate proceeds from the
exercise of such Options would purchase at such current market price, and the
denominator of which shall be the sum of (a) the number of shares of Common
Stock outstanding on such record date and (b) the number of additional shares of
Common Stock offered for subscription or purchase.

                  (ii) Change in Option Price. If the purchase price provided
for in any Option referred to in subparagraph (i) shall change at any time
(including, but not limited to, changes under or by reason of provisions
designed to protect against dilution), the applicable Conversion Price for the
Series C Preferred at the time of such event shall forthwith be readjusted to
the Conversion Price which would have been in effect at such time had such
Options or Convertible Securities still outstanding provided for such changed
purchased price, at the time initially granted, issued or sold; and on the
expiration of or exchange of such Option, the Conversion Price then in effect
hereunder shall forthwith be increased to the Conversion Price which would have
been in effect at the time of such expiration or termination had such Option, to
the extent outstanding immediately prior to such expiration or termination,
never been issued.

                  5F. Notices. As soon as reasonably practicable following any
adjustment of the Conversion Price, the Company shall give written notice
thereof to all holders of Series C Preferred, setting forth in reasonable detail
and certifying the calculation of such adjustment.

                  Section 6. Mandatory Conversion

                  (a) Each share of Series C Preferred shall automatically and
without further action on the part of the holder thereof be converted into a
number of shares of Common Stock determined in accordance with Paragraph 6(b) on
the first business day 




PAGE 7
<PAGE>   8

following the earlier to occur of the following events: (i) the average trading
price of a share of Common Stock during a period of twenty (20) consecutive
trading days (determined by taking the average of the last reported sale prices
of a share of Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange during those twenty
trading days or, if the stock is not then traded on such exchange, the average
of the reported closing prices of a share of Common Stock on any national market
system on which the stock is then listed, or if the stock is not so listed, as
determined in the reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors of the
Corporation) exceeds the then applicable Conversion Price or (ii) whenever
dividends payable on the Series C Preferred Stock shall be in arrears in an
amount equal to at least two full quarterly dividends on the Series C Preferred
outstanding. The Corporation shall give prompt written notice of the occurrence
of any mandatory conversion event to all holders of Series C Preferred.

                  (b) The number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon a
mandatory conversion of a share of Series C Preferred shall be: (i) equal to the
number of shares of Common Stock obtained by dividing $100 plus accrued and
unpaid dividends as of the date of conversion by the then applicable Conversion
Price in the case of a mandatory conversion in accordance with Paragraph
6(a)(i); or (ii) equal to the number of shares of Common Stock obtained by
dividing $100 plus accrued and unpaid dividends as of the date of conversion by
the last reported sale price of a share of Common Stock on the New York Stock
Exchange on the second business day preceding such date (or, if the stock is not
then traded on such exchange, the reported closing price of a share of Common
Stock on any national market system on which the Common Stock is then listed, or
if the Common Stock is not so listed, the fair market value of a share of Common
Stock as determined in the reasonable judgment of the Board of Directors).

                  Section 7. Registration of Transfer.

                  The Corporation shall keep at its principal office a register
for the registration of issuances and transfers of Series C Preferred. Upon the
surrender of any certificate representing Series C Preferred at such place, the
Corporation shall, at the request of the record holder of such certificate,
execute and deliver (at the Corporation's expense) a new certificate or
certificates in exchange therefor representing in the aggregate the number of
shares of Series C Preferred represented by the surrendered certificate. Each
such new certificate shall be registered in such name and shall represent such
number of shares of Series C Preferred as is requested by the holder of the
surrendered certificate and shall be substantially identical in form to the
surrendered certificate, and dividends shall accrue on the Series C Preferred
represented by such new certificate from the date to which dividends have been
fully paid on such Series C Preferred represented by the surrendered
certificate.



PAGE 8
<PAGE>   9

                  Section 8. Replacement.

                  Upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the
Corporation (an affidavit of the registered holder shall be satisfactory) of the
ownership and the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any certificate
evidencing shares of Series C Preferred, and in the case of any such loss, theft
or destruction, upon receipt of indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the
Corporation (provided that if the holder is a financial institution or other
institutional investor, its own agreement shall be satisfactory), or, in the
case of any such mutilation upon surrender of such certificate, the Corporation
shall (at its expense) execute and deliver in lieu of such certificate a new
certificate of like kind representing the number of shares of Series C Preferred
represented by such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated certificate and dated
the date of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated certificate, and dividends
shall accrue on the Series C Preferred represented by such new certificate from
the date to which dividends have been fully paid on the shares of Series C
Preferred represented by such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated certificate.

                  Section 9. Notices.

                  Except as otherwise expressly provided hereunder, all notices
referred to herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, or by reputable
overnight courier service, charges prepaid, and shall be deemed to have been
given when so mailed or sent (i) to the Corporation, at its principal executive
offices and (ii) to any stockholder, at such holder's address as it appears in
the stock records of the Corporation (unless otherwise indicated by any such
holder).




PAGE 9
<PAGE>   10


                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed and subscribed this
Certificate and do affirm the foregoing as true under the penalties of perjury
this _____ day of _____________________, 1998.



                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Donald J. Ehrlich
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer

ATTEST:


- - ------------------------------
Connie L. Koleszar
Secretary





PAGE 10

<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 15.1


                    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

To Wabash National Corporation:

We have reviewed the condensed consolidated balance sheets of WABASH NATIONAL
CORPORATION (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries as of September 30, 1998,
and the related condensed  consolidated statements of income for the three and
nine-month periods ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, and the condensed
consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September
30, 1998 and 1997.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management.

We conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants.  A review of interim financial
information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to financial
data and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting
matters.  It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, the objective of which is
the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a
whole.  Accordingly, we do not express such a opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that should
be made to the financial statements referred to above for them to be in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards, the consolidated balance sheet of Wabash National Corporation and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 (not presented herein) and, in our report
dated January 19, 1998, we expressed as unqualified opinion on that statement.
In our opinion, the information set forth in the condensed consolidated balance
sheet of Wabash National Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997,
is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated
balance sheet from which it has been derived.



                                             /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
                                             -----------------------------
                                             ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP



Indianapolis, Indiana,
October 16, 1998.

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A) THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET, STATEMENT OF INCOME AND STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH (B) FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1
<CURRENCY> U.S.
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          25,503
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  161,039
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    259,747
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               468,873
<PP&E>                                         132,885
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 747,716
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          165,743
<BONDS>                                        181,913
                                0
                                          5
<COMMON>                                           230
<OTHER-SE>                                     344,657
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   747,716
<SALES>                                        965,458
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               965,458
<CGS>                                          879,698
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  879,698
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                30,316
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              11,558
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 43,187
<INCOME-TAX>                                    17,197
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             25,990
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    25,990
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.16
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.14
        

</TABLE>


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